Nansemond River High School’s football team struck quickly against Deep Creek High School on Friday night, but it was defense that ultimately helped the Warriors pull away for a 38-3 victory in their first home game of the season.

NR coach David Coccoli’s team rebounded from its 42-0 loss to Oscar Smith High School on Sept. 4, but he was not happy to see some of the same issues from that blowout loss crop up against the Hornets.

He noted the Warriors had three turnovers on Friday night, and they gave up 100 yards in penalties again.

“A win’s a win, so I’m happy about that, but we’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said.

Coccoli pointed to defense as the deciding factor in the game.

“We held them under a hundred yards,” he said. “We gave them the ball three times inside our own 20, and they scored only three points.”

Warriors senior cornerback Colby Williams had two interceptions, one that came in the end zone and the other which he returned 37 yards for a touchdown.

Senior running back Terrence Lambert led the way for Nansemond River on offense with 14 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore running back JeVon Waller had eight carries for 78 yards and put the Warriors on the board moments after the game began with a 53-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

NR had a 14-0 lead after the first quarter, a 14-3 lead at halftime and a 21-3 lead after three quarters.

The Warriors (2-1) host Hickory High School next Friday night.